The Adventures of the Moon Witch:
Prelude:
He was on his deathbed when he told me.
It was a mere fairy tale story, nothing more.
A tale of a woman who was the night, whose eyes were the moon, the wind her witching broom.
"She can give you everything you want," he had promised, "But only for the right price, and only if you truly need it."
I hadn't needed her then. Then everything was still under my control.
However, years later, as I awoke in a pit filled with fresh bodies, it was then that I wish the fairy tale was true.
It was then that I began my search for the moon witch.
-October 1st, 1997
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Chapter One: It's October
"Who in the Hell left dishes in the sink?"
I yawned rolling over in my bed just to fall back asleep.
"I said who in the hell left dishes in the sink? I know yall hear me! It's 'bout time y'all woke up
anyway. Don't y'all have council before school?"
This woman, I groaned in my head at Grandma's voice as I rolled over once more my dreads
sliding across my face.
"It wasn't me!" I yelled back covering my head with a pillow.
"Well it was somebody. Gets your butts up right now!"
"Always tripping," I muttered, but sat up anyway.
Every morning was the same thing. As a princess and ruler, one would think I wouldn't have to
wake up to petty complaints.
Of course then again, we are talking about me, and my life is all but luxurious.
It grabbed my phone looking at the time.
5:30 AM on the dot. Ain't that a bitch.
I sighed as I grabbed my towel and shower buggy and headed for the bathroom. Right when I was about to go through the door, Demitri, my older and annoying brother, cuts me off, slamming the door shut in my face. Madden, I began beating on the door,
"Demitri open the damn door! I'm not playin' with you today. You know I was headed for the shower!" I yell.
He opens up the door, his brown eyes mischievous and shady.
"Alphas first," he says and slams the door again.
"You mean bitches first," I mumble walking back to my room, "And don't use up all the hot water either!"
"Alphas first, please," I grumble to myself, "I'm the one in charge of the damn council."
Today is October 1st which means first of the month meeting. However, this month was particularly a pain because what October really means "everything that could possibly go wrong month", and it was the worst October ever.
In this October, there was going to be a Friday 13th, followed by a total lunar eclipse which no doubt was going to lead into a blood moon, not to mention Halloween and Day of the Dead towards the end.
Oh, and did I mention my birthday is going to be in the middle of all this? That, of course, meant a moon witch festival which we know how those go.
So basically, anything that could go wrong, will go wrong.
And I have to plan for it. Another fun filled month of saving the supernatural.
"Cherika hurry up! You know they can't start without you!"
Figures.
After finally getting a shower and putting my dreads into a ponytail, I walk downstairs finding Demitri and Donny chowing down on breakfast like it was their last. Grandma Roux was ignoring them, searching away in the kitchen throwing pots and pans probably for some old spell book.
I start searching for some coffee, so I can officially wake up.
"Where the Hell is my casting book? I know it's around here somewhere....No no, no time for that this morning," Grandma Roux scolded taking the coffee pot right out of my hands before I could barely get a grip, "Yall need to go. I don't understand why it's always taking you so long to shower."
"But Demitri-"
"No, none of that either. We don't have time to play blame games. By the way, don't think I have forgotten about the dishes being left in the sink! How many countless times do I have to remind yall to clean up after yourselves? We continue that this afternoon. Now gone out the door before you all are late!" She said waving us out.
Demitri and Donnie jumped up having already destroyed all the food anyway.
"Last one there left the dishes in the sink!"
"I'm already gone, sucka," Donnie exclaimed rushing out the door. I only stare watching the two idiots before sighing and walking out of the house behind them.
"Cherika!"
"Yes, Mam?" I said trying hard not to roll my eyes at my grandma.
"You be careful today. It's October 1st, and my bones don't feel quite right. Something's aching them," she warned still bent over as she searched in the cabinets, "Change is in the air, and I don't like the smell of it. It's about to be a hellish month. Keep three eyes open you hear? " she said her head finally poking up, her old, gray eyes looking serious and wise as always.
Tell me about it, I thought.
"Gotcha Grams. See ya this afternoon," I responded waving goodbye.
I walked outside, the heat of the Mississippi delta that once could fry an egg on the pavement, now only a ghost carried on the brisk wind.
Mississippi, of course, was only just a home away from home. My real home was miles away from here, a small village in South Africa. Of course, after being hunted down and almost killed by a bunch of Voodoo witches and religious cult members,which included my insane parents, that's no longer the case. I had to go into hiding which meant living with my grandma in the states. So Mississippi has become a somewhat permanent residing place for me.
I stared up at the round moon that still stood visible in the morning daylight. I don't usually use moonlight to travel, but since I was running late, and I didn't necessarily feel like stomping through woods and messing up my clothes, I felt like I had a good enough excuse.
Opening my eyes wide at the moon, I allowed them to turn white at its glory. They blurred and just like that, I became the wind traveling with the leaves like they were old passengers. It's almost like running, the same exertion of energy being used except you feel lighter and you don't feel as if you are losing your breath.
I felt warmth grow on my skin, and I felt myself transform back into human form. My feet touched the ground, my eyes focusing on orange flames. Blinking, I found several eyes staring at me around the bonfire.
"Ha! I got here firs-Damn it!" Demitri groaned as he saw me, "Cherika's did that stupid moon thing again. Didn't grandma tell you to stop doing that?"
Donnie jumped out from the woods disappointed as well.
"Hey, Cherika's already here!" he frowned.
"You all are late!"
The three of us turned around to see Warren, council president, glaring at us.
I shrugged taking a seat with the rest of the council Demitri and Donnie following and plopping beside me. My eyes scanned around the fire noticing neither Felix nor Mickey, my best friends, were present. I sighed. Don't they realize these are mandatory meetings?
"Now that the rest of the council is here," Warren gritted, "We can address our plans for October. As you all know, October is already is a trying month for us. Things seem to get a little crazy, so we want to be ready for anything."
"But did we have to have this meeting in the morning?" Someone groaned, Sounding like Alicia.
"Of course! Dawn meetings are imperative you know that," Warren scolded, "All of us meeting at night is a death wish. That's why we only meet when necessary! Especially in October, and this isn't any regular October my friends. It one filled with omen. It is the month of a total lunar eclipse and a Friday 13th.
Whispers went off amongst the camp ground.
"Yes, this is a very hectic month for us," Warren repeated, "A time of greatness for the supernatural, but also a time to be careful, for many tribes have been tracked down and killed on such an event."
"But we have the moon witch!" Demitri shouted, and I quickly nudged him in the side.
"Yes, we are lucky to be under the protection of the moon witch," Warren agreed, "And even though this is a dangerous time for us, and she hasn't officially married into the tribe pledging her allegiance," he muttered eyes sliding over to me, "We have decided to continue our plans with the moon witch festival to celebrate her birthday as a thank you."
Way to bring up the marriage thing, douche, I thought rolling my eyes. It was then that everyone gave me the same frown and glares as always, whispering no doubt about my reluctance to join the tribe like my family. It was like a constant reminder of how I was not part of their stupid group.
Well, they don't have to "marry in" like I do, I thought bitterly, Just shed a few drops of blood and everything is so dandy.
"However, as we start the moon witch festival, I can't stress how careful we must be. Cherika is valuable to our tribe along with many others, so her safety is vital," Warren warned his eyes serious,
"Now on that matter, I will turn this meeting over to her majesty herself, Miss Roux, for she will guide us through this time of chaos" He introduced bowing at me.
The crowd stayed silent as I quietly stood up in front of the fire.
"Uh, hey guys,"
More whispering.
"Look, I know I'm not officially part of your tribe, and it's a little weird that I'm still a mortal and such," I waved, hurrying past the controversial stuff,
"But I want you all to know the moon witch festival isn't just for me. Well, it is for me, but not entirely for me."
Morning crickets started chirping as everybody just stared at me.
"Um, what I'm saying, is that it is a symbol of our unwillingness to give up the night to the enemy," I continued, "October maybe be a Hellish month, but it's our month, a month given to us by humans so we me by ourselves, and bask in our sun, the moon. So let's us go through this month in caution, but not in fear, for fear is our instrument not theirs."
"For caution, I order there too be double night shifts, along with mandatory spell washings to ensure no one is hexed, cursed, or voodooed," I commanded.
Everyone began groaning.
"No fair I have to work at night!"
"I hate spell washings! Last wash, I grew scales!" shouted someone.
"My hair fell out, and I had to wear a wig for a week!" shouted another.
"Guys come on, it's for your protection," I groaned back.
"Well if someone knew how to cast spell washings properly, it wouldn't be a problem," said Alicia loud enough so everyone heard her.
I narrowed my eyes at her getting ready to retort, but Warren stood up again before I could.
"Silence!" he exclaimed, his voice like thunder. The volume of voices immediately dropped, the sound now only coming from the crackling of the fire.
" Is this how you treat your ruler, your protector? By complaining when we are about to face perhaps the worst month this tribe has been through?"he questioned eyeing the whole tribe. Nobody said a word. I smiled loving that Warren was on my side for once.
"Look, it doesn't matter how young and how inexperience she may be, she's still the moon witch, which means she deserves your respect," Warren said. My smile dropped, going back into my usual frown.
Inexperienced?
"Continue," Warren said bowing towards me and taking a seat.
I eyed him sighing,
"Look guys, let's just follow Warren's advice, and be safe,"
More silence.
"And that's all. Uh, Our Alpha leader, Demitri, can fill you in on the rest," I muttered sitting back down.
The crowd immediately started cheering.
"Aye, Demitri!"
"Yeah, Alpha wolf in here!"
"Okay everyone calm down," Demitri smiled standing up,
"So little sis birthday is coming up,"
The crowd cheered again, and I gritted my teeth to keep from rolling my eyes.
"And so to make sure everyone has a good time, we should watch our backs a little, you know, don't be too careless," he said rolling his eyes. Of course he got laughs. He always gets laughs.
"In the meantime, little sis will make sure nothing happens to us, so we should follow her rules,"
Another round of cheering.
They don't even know what they are cheering for, I thought wanting to scream.
"I'm going to school," I muttered getting up to leave.
One would think after saving their butts, I would be more appreciated, I thought bitterly.
Moon witch. Watcher of night. Princess of wolves.
And no appreciation.
Figures.
It not easy fitting in nowhere. Can't fit in the tribe because you can't walk on all fours, and you can't fit in with the mortals because of your ties with the supernatural, and everything is just one big secret. Not to mention, you're the only one of your kind, and far, far away from any sort of home. And everyone is trying to kill you.
It, for the most part, sucks.
I yawned as I decided that walking to school, and allowing myself to blow off steam would be better than moon traveling.
Five thirty is too damn early.
"What up Chi-chi!" called a voice, and I turned to see Felix bouncing along behind me as he tried to catch up.
"Or should I say wake up," he smiled, his blue eyes gleaming, "You look tired as Hell."
"Because I am, and why weren't you at the meeting this morning?" I questioned.
"We had a meeting this morning?" He said confused.
I shook my head, continuing to walk. Although Felix was my dear friend, he could be completely and utterly clueless. Yet he was loyal, and perhaps the only one who appreciated my daily struggle.
"Yes, we had a meeting, and it would have been nice if I had your support back there. You know no one in that pack likes me since I'm not riddled with fleas," I muttered.
Felix just shrugged, running his fingers through his black hair,
"Bruh, seven is early for me, so we are not even going to speak on five. Y'all are just gonna have to fill me in."
"Y'all?" I questioned.
Felix frowned as realization struck him.
"Wait, where's Mickey?" he asked curiously.
"She wasn't there either. I thought she was smoking it up with you," I shrugged.
"Ha ha, I don't get stoned in the morning...on Wednesdays. At least not intentionally," he declared, " I haven't seen Mickey since Monday."
"I haven't either," I replied, "I figured she skipped Tuesday."
"Mickey? Skipping?" Felix frowned skeptically.
I frowned as well. It wasn't surprising that Mickey didn't show up to the meeting, but not showing up to school was a big no no for the straight A cheerleader. Definitely wasn't like her; I would know. Mickey, Felix, and I had been best friends for years, and our habits never change.
"Maybe it was for good reason. Who knows, she might be at school right now," I reasoned.
"I guess,"
But I could tell Felix was starting to worry. It was no secret that he had a thing for Mickey. Well at least no secret to me. Felix would probably kill me if I ever jeopardize our triad by telling Mickey he liked her. Seemed like for now he was fine just being friendzoned.
"So you want me to fill you in or not?" I asked.
"Hit me with it,"
"Well Warren's having a bitch fit over this whole lunar eclipse thing," I informed rolling my eyes, "And my brother was getting all the praise as always."
"Did he also bitch about it being October?"
"What do you think?"
"Well then, it sounds like the usual to me. Didn't miss much," he yawned. I shrugged; he was right. Our council meetings were pretty useless, for we never talked about anything substantial, and when we did they usually just left it in my hands. Typical bull.
"At least your birthday is coming up," he pointed out, "That's nice at least."
"They only celebrate it because they have to," I scoffed, "They only doing anything for me because they have to. Deep down inside, they are mad because I'm not a stupid dog like the rest of them."
"Ah, don't say that. I care. And Mickey cares, and we enjoy you moon witching and temper tantrums," he joked. However, as he mentioned Mickey's name he was worried again.
"I'll text her," I declared as we entered the school's parking lot.
"I already tried to call her," he responded, "Her phone was off."
My frowned deepened. Turned off phone? Definitely not Mickey behavior.
I glazed around the parking lot, looking for Mickey's burgundy Mustang that was always parked near the front of the school. Instead, my eyes caught a spanking new black motorcycle, something not usually seen at Morgan County High school.
"Did Mickey ever talk to you about getting a new motorcycle?" I asked curiously.
"No why?" Felix asked, and I point towards the freshly painted Harley Davidson.
"Huh, that's highly unusual," he agreed.
"Not something I need on October 1st," I muttered, "Come on, Let's go find Mickey."
As soon as I walked in, I was immediately hit with the feeling of another supernatural source, one that was very unfamiliar like experiencing a new perfume dancing in the air. I frowned, exchanging glances with Felix. He is face clearly showed his worry now.
"I smell a new scent," he muttered.
"I do too," I confirmed.
"Do you think-"
"Stop thinking because I know what you are thinking," I answered.
There was an unwritten rule for the supernatural especially for the wolves. New blood always replaces old. That was just how it was. If a witch got burned at the stake, a new one would arrive to take her place. If a vampire went to sleep for eternity, a new one would awake; it was a balancing system much like life and death with humans.
The fact was there was the smell of new blood.
And Mickey was nowhere to be seen.
Let the trials of October begin.
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